Report: Club World Cup player open to joining Leeds United on a free transfer this summer
Busy Transfer Week at Leeds United as Underwood Leads Charge for New Signings
It’s been a whirlwind week at Elland Road, as Leeds United find themselves deeply engaged in the summer transfer market. The club has moved beyond merely expressing interest in players — there are now active negotiations underway. Adam Underwood, recently promoted to the role of sporting director following the departure of Nick Hammond, appears determined to make an immediate impact in his new role.
Underwood has swiftly stepped up to the task, reportedly pushing hard to complete multiple deals before the transfer window officially reopens on June 16. Among the most advanced negotiations is a potential move for Udinese centre-back Jaka Bijol. The Slovenian defender could join the Whites for a fee in the region of £12.7 million to £15.2 million, with optimism growing that an agreement can be finalized soon.
In addition, Leeds have submitted a substantial £22 million offer for Strasbourg’s promising young midfielder Habib Diarra. The club is also said to be holding discussions for two more targets: Mario Stroeykens, the Belgian starlet from Anderlecht, and Aston Villa’s experienced left-back Alex Moreno. These moves signal that Underwood is eager to reshape the squad and begin laying the foundation for a new era at Leeds.
Another notable name on Leeds’ radar is Atlético Madrid defender Reinildo Mandava. The Mozambican international has recently traveled to the United States with Diego Simeone’s squad as they prepare for the newly formatted Club World Cup. However, his future with Atlético remains uncertain.
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Leeds, along with Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest and Championship side Sunderland, have expressed serious interest in securing Reinildo’s signature. The 31-year-old is approaching the end of his contract with the Spanish giants, which is due to expire at the end of this month. Reinildo had a clause in his contract that would have extended his stay had he played at least 45 minutes in half of Atleti’s 55 games this past season. Unfortunately for him, he featured in just 17 matches, meaning he is now free to move elsewhere.
Recent reports from South American outlet Pasion Futbol suggest that Reinildo is very open to a move to England. He views this potential transfer as a final opportunity to secure a lucrative contract in the Premier League, and sources close to the player indicate he is highly motivated to make the switch.
From Leeds’ perspective, Reinildo could be a timely and strategic acquisition. With Junior Firpo expected to depart this summer — amid interest from AC Milan, Lyon, and his former club Real Betis — the Mozambican left-back could slot in as a natural replacement. Firpo is likely to return to La Liga, and Reinildo’s experience in Spain, combined with his physicality and defensive prowess, make him a strong candidate to fill the void.
As Underwood navigates his first transfer window as sporting director, it’s clear that Leeds United are wasting no time in preparing for the season ahead. With multiple high-profile targets and active negotiations already underway, the next few weeks could be transformative for the club as they look to bounce back and reestablish themselves among England’s elite.